November 30, 2012

You might think that your two-minute introduction of a speaker at an event is less critical than your one-hour training presentation on your topic at a conference.

But you never know what impact you might have on an audience. Or even on one audience member.

Your goals for speaking might include the following:

1. Educate or train your audience
2. Getting visibility for your business
3. Building credibility as an expert
4. Making sales for your company
5. Persuading community members to volunteer for or donate to your organization
6. Persuading someone to meet with you for further conversation
7. Build a network
8. Improve your skills
9. Build confidence on stage

And many more -- we each have our own reasons for making and accepting speaking engagements.

Whether you speak for two minutes or for two hours, your goals should always be foremost in your mind.

What are you trying to achieve?

What is your objective?

What can you learn from the experience?

How can you achieve the goals you've set for yourself, in this particular environment and with this particular audience?